I first met Ngawai PARATA and Janine BACICA at David WONG’s public talk on Chinese history in Auckland several years ago. They are the granddaughters of Henry AH KEW, the first Chinese lawyer in New Zealand. His great-granddaughter Italia is studying at law school and is interested to further explore Henry’s history. At Ngawai’s home, I photographed Henry’s graduation certificate, which is proudly hanging on the wall of her lounge, with one of Henry’s Chinese objects Guanyin [觀音] in the foreground.

The portrait of the two families and their sons and daughters enlightens me about what a family should be — when you feel cosy at home.

Until now, I have never met Henry’s son Brian AH KEW. I wish that one day I might be able to take a photograph of Brian in front of a portrait painting of Henry at his home.